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have a yard sale

start collecting boxes and start packing now

don't panic : )

any advise for a first time home buyer?

congrats. 

here's some advice:

- before you close, go through the house super thoroughly and have them fix anything / everything you need them to.  they'll do it, especially in this soft market.. just to get you to close.

- don't do anything via email.  have your lawyer explain everything to you on the phone.  it allows you to ask questions and they often miss small details. (like delay penalties and shit)

- obvious stuff - don't do an AMR, shop around a lot for a mortgage. 

- keep you head on.  i handle stress pretty well and it totally stressed me out.

- bring a really nice to the closing.  you're gonna sign like a 200 pages of shit.

you're gonna love checking the OWN box!

Close your eyes, hold your breath and know you'll come out the other side?  It sucks, but it's temporary and you have you're own place in the end. 



Specifically, ARMs are OK if you think you'll be moving in the next ten years, which we are, so that worked out for us.  Hoard boxes.  Those suckers are expensive.  When my mom moved we had her saved hers and picked them up to save the cash.  Have lots of cash on hand when you move.  You'll be surprised at how much you end up needing.  If your lawyer says it's OK, it probably is.  THere are too many details to track down and if you get hung up on one, it'll sink you. I'll echo Marcy... sell/toss stuff before you move.  I can't tell you how many things we unpacked and tossed after the move or never used in the 7 years since.  We'll do it again, too, damn it all.   Remember why you're doing it.  That part's very important.

being a 35 year old who's rented all his life and moved approx. once ever 2 years I live pretty lightly.



dummy book on house buying...ima have to see if I can track down a pdf of that.

Congrats! It's overwhelming, especially when you get to the title agency and you're signing about 200 papers.



You'll learn to do all sorts of mundane sh*t that you never would as a renter ... buy this book; it's come in handy for me. (That link: http://www.amazon.com/Home-Improvement-1-2-3-Expert-Advice/dp/0696213273/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208563178&sr=8-1)

congrats. I bought my first house about 3 years ago. very stressful indeed and am now in the process of selling it and selling is even more stressful.



before you move I'd say go through everything you own and really decide what you need/want to keep.

keeping cash on hand as you move is a good tip.

Set up all utilities before you go but before you take your internet access down at your apartment get all the #s, that you need for utilities. in case your cable isn't set up at the house and something isn't working.



lastly-enjoy the move. moving is a pain but its a real adventure and nothing nicer than sleeping for the first night in your own home.

best of luck.